Plural flush toilet valve apparatus

ABSTRACT

Toilet valve apparatus having an upstanding tube seated at its lower end into the seat normally provided for the tank dump valve, and providing at its upper end an elevated tank dump valve seat. The tube has a side inlet which is closed by a disc valve. A float opens and closes the disc valve at the side inlet of the tube to open same when all of the water from the tank is to be discharged, and a second float operates a latching lever which latches the disc valve closed in response to water level in the tank. Operation of the tank handle in the normal direction, i.e., downwardly, opens the tank dump valve which operates in a normal manner, but causes discharge of only a smaller part of the tank water since the tank dump valve is located at an elevated level at the top of the tube. Operation of the tank handle in the unnormal direction, i.e., upwardly, causes opening of the disc valve to open the side inlet of the tube whereby a larger part of the tank water is dumped.

United States Patent 1 Elder et al.

[ Get. 23, 1973 PLURAL FLUSH TOILET VALVE Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 Appl. No.: 179,837

Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Stuart S. Levy AttrneyCarl B. Fox, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Toilet valve apparatus having an upstanding tube seated at its lower end into the seat normally provided for the tank dump valve, and providing at its upper end an elevated tank dump valve seat. The tube has a side inlet which is closed by a disc valve. A float opens and closes the disc valve at the side inlet of the tube to [52] US. Cl 4/37, 4/34, 4/53, 0 en same when all ofthe water from the tank is to be 4/56 4/67 A 4/DlG 1 h d d d fl 1 isc arge an a secon oat operates a atc mg i 1/14 i gff lever which latches the disc valve closed in response [5 1 0 t gs to water level in the tank. Operation of the tank han 4/67 D l dle in the normal direction, i.e., downwardly, opens I r the tank dump valve which operates in a normal man- [56] References cued ner, but causes discharge of only a smaller part of the UNITED STATES PATENTS tank water since the tank dump valve is located at an 2,864,095 l2/l958 Martino 4/67 A elevated level at the top of the tube. Operation of the 2,674,744 1954 White 161 tank handle in the un-normal direction, i.e., upwardly, 2,690,567 /1954 iQuebbeman- 4/67 A causes opening of the disc valve to open the side inlet 2,731,647 [/1956 Gl'Oth 6t 31. 4/67 A of the tube whereby a larger p of the k water is 2,351,672 6/1944 Engel 4/34 dum ed 563,742 7/1896 Clark 4/53 p 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures /94 a 4.9 r m 1 l r u -79 i; N WATER LEVEL 1==. L

I 5/ J4 94LL r r as 0'6 if 3 H I, JZV' P 4 7 W we; 6 ii: an;

\-5J 7/ /y 74 i I /.5 /I r ri SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION water would flow into the connected sewage system. A

principal object of the invention is to provide a toilet flushing apparatus which may selectively be employed to dump either about one-half of the toilet tank water or to dump substantially all of the toilet tank water. Other apparatuses for this purpose have been devel-. oped, but have not been efficient and are not commonly used.

The prior art includes US. Pat. Nos. 519,337; 1,767,043;' 1,960,864; 1,963,211; 2,237,294;

2,351,672; 2,505,091; 2,526,294; and 2,864,095;

, showing apparatuses of other form. No apparatuses shownin the foregoing patents is of the nature herein disclosed and claimed. I

The subject apparatus has a tube which elevates the seat of the normal dump valve of the toilet. The tube has a side inlet closed by a disc valve which is opened upon one movement of the toilet tank handle to dump most of the water in the tank. When the normal float valve of the toilet is operated, only a portion, usually about half, of the tank water is dumped for flushing of the toilet. The partial tank dump is preferably provided by normal tank handle operation, while the full tank dump is provided by un-normal or reverse tank handle operation. In this way, the partial tank dump is what occurs upon natural operation, without forethought, while the full tank dump is occasioned by an unnatural handle movement which is most cases would be intentionally done.

Two floats, one operating a latching lever, control the disc valve at the tube side inlet.-The lever is moved to unlatch th disc valve by un-normal tank handle movement, one float then causing opening of the disc valve, and when the water level has lowered sufficiently, the other float causes release and relatching of thedisc'valve in closed position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of the preferred form of apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings.

,BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS vFIG. l is a side elevational view of a preferred form of apparatus according to the invention, the toilet water tank in which the apparatus is installed being DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail and describing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown therein, the rear tank support flange or platform of a toilet bowl body is indicated by reference numeral 10. The support flange has an opening therethrough, indicated by reference numeral 11. The large lower nipple 14 extending downward from the base 15 of standpipe 16 is disposed through opening 11. The lower exterior of nipple 14 is threaded and the nipple is affixed in place through opening 11 and through opening 17 through the bottom 18 of tank 19 by a nut 21. Openings 11 and 17 are of the same size and are placed in register, opening 17 above opening 11, and the nipple 14 inserted therethrough and the nut 21 secured, this structure holding the tank 19 firmly scured on support flange 10 of the toilet bowl. Tank 19 has cover 19a.

Standpipe base 15 has therethrough a circular opening 23, of the same size and in register above the internal bore of nipple 14, and which terminates upwardly in upwardly divergent conical seat 26 formed within an upstanding ring formation around the upper end of opening 23. Seat 26 is the seat upon which a tank dump valve 29 would normally seat to prevent outflow of water from the tank, lifting of valve 29 permitting outflow of water from the tank. According to the invention, however, a tube 30 is provided which has a lower end adapted to seat upon seat 26 and, therebelow, to extend a short distance into opening or bore 23. The tubular passage 34 through tube 30 terminates upwardly in a conical seat 35 which is of the same form as seat 26,'and valve 29 is disposed rem'ovably threagainst. Tube 30 is affixed to 'seat 26 by any suitable sealer/adhesive, such as General Electric silicone sealant No. RTV102, or Dow-Corning SILASTIC (trademark) silicone rubber sealer-adhesive.

A rod 36 is screwed into the upper end of dump valve 29. The upper end of rod 36 is in the form of loop 38, the rod passing through openings through a yoke 39 of fitting 41 which is clamped by screw 42 around the upper end of standpipe 16. A chain 44 connected to loop 45 attached at the upper end of valve 29 beneath shoulder 37 is connected at its upper end to the inner end of bar 48, the crank bar which is pivotally moved upwardly and downwardly by movements of crank handle 49 of the toilet tank, in the customary manner. When handle 49 is moved downwardly, the opposite or inner end of bar 48 is pivotally moved upward, thereby raising valve 29 off of its seat. Rod 36 slides freely upwardly through the yoke openings. When handle 49 is released, it resumes its horizontal position as shown, and valve 29 is lowered onto seat 35 as the water level in tank 19 lowers to that level.

The described operation of valve 29, handle 49 and bar or rod 48 is as customary upon the flushing of a standard toilet valve. The difl'erence is that the dump valve 29 is disposed at an elevated position and seats on seat 35 which is upward with respect to the normal seat 26. Since the upper end of tube 30 and seat 35 are elevated above the bottom of tank 19, only the water above the upper end of tube 30 flows out when the toilet is flu'shed, the water below this level remaining in the tank.

The apparatus is also adapted for full flushing of the toilet by the outflow or dumping of most of the water in the tank. Tube 30 has a side fitting 51 on which is pivotally supported a valve hinge 52. The hinge has a pair of opposite yoke elements 54 having openings therethrough, a screw 56 passing through these openings and an opening through fitting 51 to hingedly secure hinge 52 to fitting 51. Hinge 52, then, may be 3 moved pivotally outwardly and inwardly with respect to tube 30.

A circular disc valve 58 has a center thickened part 59 having a tapped opening at its center into which is screwed a screw 61. A pair of springs 62, 63 are at either side of the lower end of hinge 52 which has an opening therethrough to receive screw 61. A rod 65 is threaded at its end 66 and passes through another opening through hinge 52 to be secured by nuts 68, 69. The other end of rod 65 is threaded and is screwed into internally threaded nipple 71 of a float 72.

Hinge 52 has a forwardly projecting lower end 74. A latching lever 81 is pivotally connected to a side of tube 30 at screw 82. Washer 83 is disposed beneath the head of the screw. Lever 81 is affixed to tube 30 at an integral formation 85, outwardly rectangular, which at its outer face has therein a slot 86 opposite ends of the sides of which are sloped at 87, 88 to form limits for the pivotal movement of lever 81.

A shoulder 89 at the lower side of the end of lever 81 toward float 72 is adapted to latch over projecting hinge end 74. When the right hand end of lever 81 is down as shown in FIG. 1, then shoulder 89 prevents hinge 52 from moving pivotally outwardly in response to upward bias caused by float 72 immersed in water within tank 19. When the right hand end of lever 81 is pivotally moved upwardly, shoulder 89 is moved up to release hinge 52 whereby the float 72 raises disc valve 58 away from side opening 57.

Movements of lever 81 are controlled by a rod 94 the lower end of which is connected through an opening at the left end of lever 81, the upper end of rod 94 being secured by a loop 95 thereof around a second rod 96 the lower end of which is looped around rod 94 at 97. The upper end of rod 96 is bent and engaged into an opening 101 at the lower portion of clip 102, which is secured about bar 48. A float 104 carried by rod 105 is connected to the left hand end of lever 81 by inserting an offset bend of rod 105 through an opening 106 in the lever and securing the loop of rod end 108 to lever 81 by screw 109.

In the operation of the toilet, the standpipe 16 functions in the normal manner to convey overflow water resulting from over filling from the tank and to convey afterflow of the inlet water valve (not shown) from the tank.

The operation of the herein disclosed apparatus for dumping the upper portion, approximately one-half, of the water in tank 19 upon flushing of the toilet has been described. When all of the water is desired to be dumped for a more effective flush where, for example, solid or bulky wastes are to be disposed of, the handle 49 instead of being pushed down, which is the normal movement thereof, is pulled upwardly, pushing down on rod 96 the lower loop end 97 pushing down on the left hand end of lever 81 to push float 104 downwardly. This elevates the right end of lever 81 to unlatch shoulder 89 from forward projection 74 of hinge 52 so that submerged float 72 may elevate hinge 52 and the flap valve 58 connected thereto. Water then flows out through side inlet 57 to the level of the bottom edge of the inlet.

The end of lever 81 is angular at 81a to form a stop to prevent reclosing of valve 58, the projection 74 resting thereagainst after float 72 has elevated the valve 58 from its seat. Float 104 lowers the right end of lever 81 to a position to engage lever end 81a, after the disc valve has been moved out by float 72. The valve stays in this position until such time as the water level in the tank has dropped so that float 104 moves downwardly, this again raising the right hand end of lever 81, and projection 74 moving below lever end 81a as valve 58 is closed by the weight of float 72. The valve 58 reseats to close inlet 57 and, upon the inflow of water to again fill tank 19 the latch shoulder 89 comes to rest over projection 74 to relatch the valve 58 in closed condition. The water inflow then refills the tank up to the level of the upper end of the standpipe 16 so that the toilet is in condition for either form of flushing, either the depression of handle 49 to dump water down to the upper end of tube 30, or the raising of handle 49 to dump water down to the lower side of opening 57.

The flushing of the toilet is not complicated for the user. For normal flushing which with this apparatus would involve useof about half of the tank water, down to the top of tube 30, the normal flushing movement of handle 49 downwardly is employed. On the other hand, if a stronger flushing action using more water is desired or required, handle 49 is moved upwardly so that substantially all of the tank water, down to the bottom of inlet 57, will be used.

While a preferred embodiment of the apparatus has been described and shown in the drawings, many modifications thereof may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to protect by Letters Patent all forms of the invention falling within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Toilet valve apparatus, for use in water closet toilets having a water tank disposed to dump flush water into the toilet bowl, comprising tube means disposed vertically upwardly from the drain outlet of the tank and sealed therewith, exterior handle means mounted on said tank having interior operating bar means moved upward from neutral position by one movement of said handle means and moved downward from neutral position by opposite movement of said handle means, float valve means seated on the upper end of said tube means in said neutral and downward positions of said operating bar means and connected to said operating bar means to be unseated and open the upper end of said tube means when said operating bar means is moved upward, a side inlet into said tube means, hinged valve means closing said side inlet, latch means actuated by a first float to hold said hinged valve means closed when said first float is below the water level in the tank, said latch means being connected to said operating bar mean and being moved by downward movement of said operating bar means to release said hinged valve means to permit said hinged valve means to open, a second float biasing said hinged valve means to open when said second float means is below the water level in the tank, said first float means being below said second float means, whereby when the handle means is moved to move said operating bar means upward said float valve means is opened to dump tank water down to the upper level of said tube means, and when the handle means is moved to move said operating bar means downward said hinged valve means is opened to dump tank water down to the lower edge of said side inlet.

' 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said operating bar is moved upwardly when said handle is moved down, said operating bar being moved downwardly when said handle is moved up, whereby relatively less flush water is dumped when the handle is moved in normal downward movement, and relatively more flush water is dumped when the handle is moved in unnormal' upward movement.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said hinged valve comprises a circular disc valve hingedly connected to said tube means above said side inlet, said latch means comprising a lever pivotally mounted whereby its opposite ends move upwardly and downwardly and having shoulder means facing inwardly at the lower side of one end, said shoulder means engagerating bar is moved downward. 

1. Toilet valve apparatus, for use in water closet toilets having a water tank disposed to dump flush water into the toilet bowl, comprising tube means disposed vertically upwardly from the drain outlet of the tank and sealed therewith, exterior handle means mounted on said tank having interior operating bar means moved upward from neutral position by one movement of said handle means and moved downward from neutral position by opposite movement of said handle means, float valve means seated on the upper end of said tube means in said neutral and downward positions of said operating bar means and connected to said operating bar means to be unseated and open the upper end of said tube means when said operating bar means is moved upward, a side inlet into said tube means, hinged valve means closing said side inlet, latch means actuated by a first float to hold said hinged valve means closed when said first float is below the water level in the tank, said latch means being connected to said operating bar means and being moved by downward movement of said operating bar means to release said hinged valve means to permit said hinged valve means to open, a second float biasing said hinged valve means to open when said second float means is below the water level in the tank, said first float means being below said second float means, whereby when the handle means is moved to move said operating bar means upward said float valve means is opened to dump tank water down to the upper level of said tube means, and when the handle means is moved to move said operating bar means downward said hinged valve means is opened to dump tank water down to the lower edge of said side inlet.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said operating bar is moved upwardly when said handle is moved down, said operating bar being moved downwardly when said handle is moved up, whereby relatively less flush water is dumped when the handle is moved in normal downward movement, and relatively more flush water is dumped when the handle is moved in un-normal upward movement.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said hinged valve comprises a circular disc valve hingedly connected to said tube means above said side inlet, said latch means comprising a lever pivotally mounted whereby its opposite ends move upwardly and downwardly and having shoulder means facing inwardly at the lower side of one end, said shoulder means engaging over the hinge of said disc valve when said disc valve is closed at said side inlet, said first float and said operating bar being connected to the other end of said lever.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said connection of said Lever to said operating bar comprises a first rod extending from said lever and a second rod extending from said operating bar, the other end of each rod being looped around the other rod, said second rod loop engaging said lever to push it down when said operating bar is moved downward. 